U.S. Sled Hockey Survives Late Canada Rally to Win Sled Series
The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team had to withstand a third period push from Canada but emerged with a hard-fought 5-2 victory to take the 2024 Sled Series. Declan Farmer and Jack Wallace led the way with three points apiece.
“We got off to a good start but we got a little loose and made it hard on ourselves,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We picked it up at the end of the second period and that was the difference, and we finished strong.”
Farmer opened the scoring early, breaking free for a highlight-reel breakaway goal. Canada briefly tied it before Farmer’s second of the game, a power move through contact, made it 2-1 U.S.
Another Canada equalizer set the stage for a wild finish to the second period. With time winding down, Wallace scored on the power play, then set up Josh Misiewicz just 12 seconds later for a huge 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Wallace iced it with an empty-netter in the final minute as the U.S. held off Canada’s late surge behind stellar goal tending from Jen Lee.
The gritty series-clinching victory was the perfect cap on an impressive Sled Series performance for the U.S., which outscored Canada 12-2 over the three games. With momentum on their side, they’ll look to carry this level into upcoming international tournaments.
U.S. Women’s Sled Team Caps Dominant Sled Series Sweep
The U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team saved its best for last, routing Canada 7-2 in the finale to complete a perfect 3-0-0 sweep of the 2024 Sled Series. Kelsey Di Claudio stole the show with a four-goal outburst.
“It was a great series,” said Rose Misiewicz, head coach of the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team. “Overall, it was really fun to see the ladies grew and improved as we went along.”
The U.S. wasted no time seizing control, exploding for three goals in the opening 1:32 of the first period. Catherine Faherty started the onslaught before Di Claudio struck twice in quick succession for an early 3-0 lead.
Di Claudio’s natural hat trick goal early in the second period made it 4-0. After Canada got one back, Lera Doederlein and Rachel Grusse added insurance tallies in the third.
Di Claudio capped her four-goal masterpiece with an empty-netter in the dying seconds as the U.S. finished off the 7-2 rout and decisive series victory.
The stellar all-around performance was the culmination of a totally dominant Sled Series for the Americans, who outscored Canada 17-4 across the three games while going a perfect 7-0-0 on the season so far.
With momentum fully on their side, the U.S. Women’s Development Team looks poised to make some noise on the international stage in the months ahead.